Body mounted camera system

ABSTRACT

A body mounted camera system may include a band structure having an inner surface positionable against a user&#39;s body, an outer surface facing away from the user&#39;s body, and an interior cavity between the inner surface and the outer surface; a camera within the interior cavity including a lens exposed through the outer surface of the band structure; a controller within the interior cavity for controlling the camera, the controller including an interconnection module for connecting to an outside device; a power source within the interior cavity for powering the controller and the camera; and electrical connections connecting the controller, the power source, and the camera.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/342,068, filed Nov. 2, 2016 with the U.S. Patent and TrademarkOffice, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/250,356, filed on Nov. 3, 2015, the entire contents of both of whichare incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to wearable cameras.

2. Description of the Related Art

Wearable cameras have been increasing in use recently for both athleticand non-athletic situations. Many wearable cameras are bulky and/oruncomfortable to wear. Wearable cameras can also get in the way of orrestrict movement of participants when playing sports such as basketballor doing other activities or sports that require a freedom of motion.

Additionally, many wearable cameras are clearly identifiable as such.When a wearable camera is clearly visible, it may make otherparticipants uncomfortable or the camera may become the target ofthieves.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide a body mounted camerasystem that is lightweight, comfortable, and substantially hidden fromview.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a body mountedcamera system includes: a band structure having an inner surfacepositionable against a user's body, an outer surface facing away fromthe user's body, and an interior cavity between the inner surface andthe outer surface; a camera within the interior cavity including a lensexposed through the outer surface of the band structure; a controllerwithin the interior cavity for controlling the camera, the controllerincluding an interconnection module for connecting to an outside device;a power source within the interior cavity for powering the controllerand the camera; and electrical connections connecting the controller,the power source, and the camera.

The body mounted camera system may further include a substrate in theband structure on which at least two of the camera, the controller, andthe power source are mounted.

The substrate may be flexible but not stretchable.

The electrical connections may include wires woven in a pattern thatprovides increased elasticity and flexibility.

The electrical connections may include ribbon cable providingflexibility.

The body mounted camera system may further include electro-magneticshielding between the inner surface of the band structure and one ormore of the power source, the camera, and the controller.

The body mounted camera system may further include a memory.

The memory may include a memory slot for inserting and removing aremovable memory.

The memory may include a solid state memory or a flash memory.

The band structure may have an opening through which the camera, thecontroller, and the power source can be removed.

The opening may be closed by a fastener.

The interconnection module may include a micro-USB port.

The interconnection module may include a wireless connection module anda charge port.

The wireless connection module may include one or more of: a Bluetooth®module; a Wi-Fi® module; and a cellular module.

The controller may further include one or more of: a logical processor;an image stabilization module; an image processor; an on/off switch; andan autofocus controller.

The controller may further include one or more of: a GPS module; agyrometer; an accelerometer; an altimeter; a pulse oximeter; and apedometer.

The camera may further include a microphone.

The body mounted camera system may further include an elastic band.

The body mounted camera system may further include straps for attachingthe body mounted camera system to a user's body.

The straps may use a hook and loop attachment method.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a body mounted camera system accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the body mounted camera system showingcomponents hidden from view according to the exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a controller, a camera, and a power sourceaccording to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the body mounted camera system showingcomponents hidden from view according to still another exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of electrical connections in a relaxed positionaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan of the electrical connections of FIG. 5 in a stretchedcondition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the description that follows the same reference numbers are used todenote the same elements or components throughout.

A body mounted camera system according to embodiments of the presentinvention include a band structure and a camera, a controller, and apower supply hidden within the band structure. The camera includes alens exposed to the outside for recording video or still pictures. Inone embodiment the band structure is a fabric headband including anelastic band for holding the band structure on a user's head or arm.

A body mounted camera system according an embodiment of the presentinvention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1is a perspective view of a body mounted camera system according to theexemplary embodiment of the present invention and FIG. 2 is aperspective view of the body mounted camera system showing componentshidden from view (in broken lines) according to the exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a body mounted camera system according to anembodiment of the present invention includes a band structure 100, acontroller 120, a camera 140, and a power source 160. The camera 140includes a lens 180 exposed to the outside of the band structure 100.

The band structure 100 includes an inner surface, an outer surface, andan inner cavity between the inner surface and the outer surface. Theinner cavity of the band structure 100 houses the controller 120, thecamera 140, and the power source 160. Further, the inner cavity of theband structure 100 may be annular in shape. The outer surface of theband structure 100 has a portion through which the lens 180 is exposed.The portion of the outer surface may be an opening or be made of anoptically transparent (i.e., optically clear) material.

The band structure 100 may be made of any suitable material for makingheadbands or armbands. In some embodiments the band structure 100 ismade of fabric or cloth and the fabric or cloth may be elastic.

The controller 120 is capable of controlling the camera 140. Thecontroller receives power from the power source 160. The controller 120controls the camera 140 to record video, take pictures, and/or end therecording of video. The controller 120 receives the pictures from thecamera either in still or in motion video form. The controller may storethe pictures and/or videos in memory 200 (see FIG. 3 and correspondingdescription herein). Alternatively, the controller may stream the stillpictures and/or videos directly to an external device. The streaming mayoccur wirelessly using a suitable wireless technology. Suitable wirelesstechnologies may include Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, or cellular (e.g., 2G, 3G,or 4G) technologies.

The controller 120 may include a charge port when the power source 160is rechargeable. Further, the controller 120 may include aninterconnection module. The interconnection module facilitatesconnection with the external device. The interconnection module may beany of various types of suitable interconnection modules, for example, amicro-USB port, a Bluetooth® module, a Wi-Fi®, module, or a cellularmodule. When the interconnection module is a micro-USB module, aseparate charge port would not necessarily be provided.

The camera 140 may be any one of various types of cameras that provide athin form factor, light weight, low power consumption, and capability ofrecording motion videos and/or taking still pictures. The camera 140receives power from the power source 160.

The camera 140 includes the lens 180. The lens 180 is exposed to theoutside through the portion of the outer surface of the band structure100. In the embodiment where the portion of the outside surface is anopening, the lens 180 extends into the opening and the lens may be flushwith the outer surface or may protrude from the outer surface. In theembodiment where the portion of the outside surface is an opticallyclear material, the lens is positioned to capture images and/or videosthrough the optically clear material. In some embodiments, the lens 180and the band structure 100 are constructed so that the presence of thelens 180 is not easily seen by outside observers.

The camera 140 may include a microphone. Alternatively, a microphone (ifincluded) may be part of the controller 120.

The body mounted camera system may include a plurality of cameras 140.The body mounted camera system may include two cameras 140 spaced apartfrom each other for creating three dimensional (3D) pictures or videos.The body mounted camera system may include multiple cameras 140 forcreating pictures or videos from multiple angles and perspectives and/orvirtual reality (360° pictures or videos). The controller 120 may becapable of merging pictures or video frames from the multiple camerainto a single wide-angle, 3D, or 360° picture or video frame.

The power supply 160 may be any of various types of portable powersupplies. For example, the power supply 160 may be a battery, a portablefuel cell, etc.

The body mounted camera system may include a substrate or support ontowhich the controller 120, the camera 140, the power source 160, or acombination thereof are mounted. The substrate may be any suitablematerial for mounting the controller 120, the camera 140, the powersource 160, or a combination thereof which provides flexibility whilepreventing stretching. For example the substrate may be made of cloth orplastic. The substrate may be made of the same material as the bandstructure 100 but be processed differently to reduced stretchability.

The body mounted camera system may include electro-magnetic shieldingbetween the inner surface of the band structure 100 and one or more ofthe controller 120, the camera 140, and the power source 160. Theshielding may prevent electric or magnetic fields from extending intothe user (i.e., reaching the user). In some embodiments, the shieldingis provided within the substrate.

The band structure 100 may include an opening for removing one or moreof the controller 120, the camera 140, and the power source 160. Thecontroller 120, the camera 140, and the power source 160 may be removedfrom the band structure 100 to permit washing of the band structure 100.By removing the controller 120, the camera 140, and the power source160, the band structure 100 can be cleaned without damaging thosecomponents. When the controller 120, the camera 140, and the powersource 160 are within the band structure 100, the opening may be closedusing any of various suitable fastening structures (e.g., using a hookand loop or other attachment structure).

The body mounted camera system may or may not include an elastic band220. When the body mounted camera system includes the elastic band 220,the elastic band 220 provides elasticity to the band structure 100. Theelastic band 220 allows the body mounted camera system to be held inplace in various locations of the users body. For example, the elasticband 220 may allow the band structure 100 to operate as a headband orarmband.

When the body mounted camera system does not include the elastic band220, the body mounted camera system may include other methods offastening the band structure 100 to a user's body. In one embodiment theband structure 100 has straps that use a hook and loop attachment method(e.g., Velcro®) and can be attached to a user's head, arm, and/or othersuitable body part by means of the hook and loop attachment method.

The controller 120, the camera 140, and the power source 160 areelectrically connected via electrical connections 240. Electricalconnections 240 provide electrical pathways for communication signalsbetween the controller 120, the camera 140, and the power source 160.Electrical connections 240 may be a type of ribbon cable but the presentinvention is not limited thereto. When the electrical connections 240are a type of ribbon cable, electrical connections 240 have goodflexibility but low stretchability.

As can be seen in FIG. 1, neither the controller 120 nor the powersource 160 are visible from the outside and only the lens 180 of thecamera 140 is visible from the outside.

A controller, a camera, and a power source according to an embodiment ofthe present invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 3.FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a controller, a camera, and a power sourceaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the camera 140 is connected to the controller 120via electrical connections 240 and the controller 120 is connected tothe power source 160 via electrical connections 240.

The controller 120 is capable of controlling the camera 140. Thecontroller receives power from the power source 160. The controller 120controls the camera 140 to record video, take pictures, and/or endrecording of video. The controller 120 receives the pictures or videosfrom the camera. The controller stores the pictures and/or videos inmemory 200.

The controller 120 according to the present embodiment includes thememory 200, a logical processor 300, an image processor 320, an imagestabilization module 340, an autofocus controller 360, and an On/Offswitch 380, but the present invention is not limited thereto.Embodiments of the present invention may include any combination ofthese components, including all or none of them.

The memory 200 may be an internal memory such as a flash memory or asolid state memory or may be a memory slot for inserting and removing aremovable memory. The logical processor 300 may provideintercommunication between and control of the memory 200, the imageprocessor 320, and the autofocus controller 360.

The image processor 320 may receive the picture or video frames from thecamera 140 directly or may receive the picture or video frames from thelogical processor 300 which receives the picture or video frames fromthe camera 140. The image processor 320 may process the picture or videoframes and may compile the video frames into a single video.

The image processor 320 utilizes the image stabilization module 340 tostabilize (e.g., correct for motion blur, etc.) a video that wasrecording while the body mounted camera system was in motion.

Prior to sending the command to take a picture or video, or while takinga video, the logical processor 300 may issue a command to the autofocuscontroller 360 to focus the camera 140. When the autofocus controller360 receives the command, the autofocus controller 360 controls thecamera to automatically focus the camera.

The logical processor may control the camera 140, the power supply 160,the memory 200, the image processor 320, and the autofocus controller360 to turn on or turn off according to input from the On/Off switch380.

The controller 120 may further include one or more of a GPS module, agyrometer, an accelerometer, an altimeter, a pulse oximeter, and apedometer.

The controller and/or any other relevant devices or components accordingto embodiments of the present invention described herein may beimplemented utilizing any suitable hardware, firmware (e.g. anapplication-specific integrated circuit), software, or a suitablecombination of software, firmware, and hardware. The various componentsof the controller may be formed as one integrated device or as multipleseparate devices. For example, the various components of the controllermay be formed on one integrated circuit (IC) chip or on separate ICchips. Further, the various components of the controller may beimplemented on a flexible printed circuit film, a tape carrier package(TCP), a printed circuit board (PCB), or formed on a same substrate asone or more circuits and/or devices of the body mounted camera system.Further, the various components of the controller may be a process orthread, running on one or more processors, in one or more computingdevices, executing computer program instructions and interacting withother system components for performing the various functionalitiesdescribed herein. The computer program instructions are stored in amemory which may be implemented in a computing device using a standardmemory device, such as, for example, a random access memory (RAM). Thecomputer program instructions may also be stored in other non-transitorycomputer readable media such as, for example, a flash drive, or thelike. Also, a person of skill in the art should recognize that thefunctionality of various computing devices may be combined or integratedinto a single computing device, or the functionality of a particularcomputing device may be distributed across one or more other computingdevices without departing from the spirit and scope of the exemplaryembodiments of the present invention.

A body mounted camera system according an embodiment of the presentinvention will now be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is aperspective view of the body mounted camera system showing componentshidden from view according to the embodiment of the present invention.Some components of the body mounted camera system of FIG. 4 may be thesame as components of the body mounted camera system of FIGS. 1-3 and,as such, duplicate descriptions of the same or similar elements orcomponents thereof may be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 4, the body mounted camera system, according to theembodiment of the present invention, includes a band structure 400, acontroller 120, a camera 140, and a power source 160. The camera 140includes a lens 180 exposed to the outside of the band structure 400.

In this embodiment, the controller 120, the camera 140, and the powersource 160 are spaced from each other. The spacing of the controller120, the camera 140, and the power source 160 may provide better weightdistribution and may make it easier for a user to wear the body mountedcamera system.

When the body mounted camera system includes components that a spacedthroughout the band structure 400 and the body mounted camera systemincludes an elastic band 220 the distance between the components mayvary depending on the degree of stretching applied to the elastic band220. In this case, electrical connections between the components may bedamaged by the change in distance between the components.

According to the present embodiment, electrical connections 420 havehigh elasticity and flexibility. Any suitable method of providingelectrical connections 420 with high elasticity and flexibility may beused.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are plan views of electrical connections having highelasticity and flexibility according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, electrical connections 420 includewires 420′ (e.g., wires with a metal core and plastic insulationcoating) woven in a pattern. The pattern is chosen such that when aforce is applied to stretch the electrical connections 420, the wires420′ are not broken. Rather they are bent or otherwise elasticallydeformed to create a suitable restoring force in the structure of theelectrical connections 420.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary pattern of wires 420′ in a non-stretchedposition. FIG. 6 shows the wires 420″ in the exemplary pattern in astretched position. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the wires 420″ havesmaller loops than the wires 420′ and the loops in the wires 420″ arespaced farther apart that the loops in the wires 420′.

When the force is no longer being applied to the electrical connections420, the loops in the wires 420″ relax back to the size of the loops inthe wires 420′, and because of this, the loops are brought closertogether.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to includethe plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise,”“comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” and “include,” whenused in this specification, specify the presence of stated features,integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “one ormore of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list ofelements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. Further,the use of “may” when describing embodiments of the present inventionrefers to “one or more embodiments of the present invention.” Also, theterm “exemplary” is intended to refer to an example or illustration.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” “connected with,” “coupledwith,” or “adjacent to” another element or layer, it can be “directlyon,” “directly connected to,” “directly coupled to,” “directly connectedwith,” “directly coupled with,” or “directly adjacent to” the otherelement or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers may bepresent. Further “connection,” “connected,” etc. may also refer to“electrical connection,” “electrically connect,” etc. depending on thecontext in which they are used as those skilled in the art wouldappreciate. When an element or layer is referred to as being “directlyon,” “directly connected to,” “directly coupled to,” “directly connectedwith,” “directly coupled with,” or “immediately adjacent to” anotherelement or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present.

As used herein, the term “substantially,” “about,” and similar terms areused as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and areintended to account for the inherent deviations in measured orcalculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill inthe art.

As used herein, the terms “use,” “using,” and “used” may be consideredsynonymous with the terms “utilize,” “utilizing,” and “utilized,”respectively.

Although this invention has been described in certain specificembodiments, those skilled in the art will have no difficulty devisingvariations to the described embodiment, which in no way depart from thescope and spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, to those skilledin the various arts, the invention itself herein will suggest solutionsto other tasks and adaptations for other applications. It is theapplicant's intention to cover by claims all such uses of the inventionand those changes and modifications which could be made to theembodiments of the invention herein chosen for the purpose of disclosurewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, thepresent embodiments of the invention should be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the inventionto be indicated by the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A body mounted camera system comprising: a bandstructure having an inner surface configured to face toward a user'shead, an outer surface configured to face away from the user's head, andan interior cavity between the inner surface and the outer surface; atleast one camera within the interior cavity, the at least one cameracomprising a lens exposed through the outer surface of the bandstructure; a controller within the interior cavity for controlling theat least one camera, the controller comprising an interconnection moduleconfigured to connect to an outside device; a power source within theinterior cavity configured to power the controller and the at least onecamera; electrical connections connecting the controller, the powersource, and the at least one camera; an opening in the band structurethrough which the at least one camera, the controller, the power source,and the electrical connections can be removed; and wherein the at leastone camera, the controller, the power source, and the electricalconnections are circumferentially arranged within the interior cavity ofthe band structure.
 2. The body mounted camera system of claim 1,wherein the band structure is flexible.
 3. The body mounted camerasystem of claim 2, wherein the band structure is a washable fabric bandstructure.
 4. The body mounted camera systems of claim 1, furthercomprising a fastener configured to close the opening in the bandstructure.
 5. The body mounted camera system of claim 1, furthercomprising a substrate within the interior cavity of the band structureon which at least two of the at least one camera, the controller, andthe power source are mounted.
 6. The body mounted camera system of claim5, wherein the substrate is flexible but not stretchable.
 7. The bodymounted camera system of claim 1, wherein the electrical connectionscomprise wires woven in a pattern configured to provide elasticity andflexibility.
 8. The body mounted camera system of claim 1, wherein theelectrical connections comprise a flexible ribbon cable.
 9. The bodymounted camera system of claim 1, further comprising electro-magneticshielding between the inner surface of the band structure and one ormore of the power source, the at least one camera, and the controller.10. The body mounted camera system of claim 1, wherein the at least onecamera comprises a plurality of cameras.
 11. The body mounted camerasystem of claim 1, further comprising a memory device in the interiorcavity of the band structure, the memory device comprising a memory slotfor inserting and removing a removable memory.
 12. The body mountedcamera system of claim 1, further comprising a memory device in theinterior cavity of the band structure, the memory device comprising asolid state memory or a flash memory.
 13. The body mounted camera systemof claim 1, wherein the interconnection module comprises a micro-USBport.
 14. The body mounted camera system of claim 1, wherein theinterconnection module comprises: a wireless connection module; and acharge port.
 15. The body mounted camera system of claim 14, wherein thewireless connection module comprises one or more of: a short rangewireless module; a wireless module; or a cellular module.
 16. The bodymounted camera system of claim 1, wherein the controller furthercomprises one or more of: a logical processor; an image stabilizationmodule; an image processor; an on/off switch; or an autofocuscontroller.
 17. The body mounted camera system of claim 1, wherein thecontroller further comprises one or more of: a GPS module; a gyrometer;an accelerometer; an altimeter; a pulse oximeter; or a pedometer. 18.The body mounted camera system of claim 1, wherein the at least onecamera further comprises a microphone.
 19. The body mounted camerasystem of claim 1, further comprising an elastic band in the interiorcavity of the band structure.
 20. The body mounted camera system ofclaim 1 further comprising at least one strap coupled to the bandstructure, the at least one strap configured to attach the body mountedcamera system to a user's body.